Disposable filtration cartridge

ABSTRACT

A disposable filtration cartridge comprising a casing, and filtration materials confined in the casing for cleansing debrisladen fluid. The casing includes a lid integral therewith and displaceable generally pivotally relative to the casing for exposing the filtration materials to debris-laden fluid. The casing, furthermore, includes an apertured bottom portion through which cleansed fluid may egress into a cleansed fluid chamber provided in an aquarium filtration housing.

Elnited States Patent 1191 Willinger et al.

DISPOSABLE FILTRATION CARTRIDGE Inventors: Allan H. Willinger, NewRochelle;

Albert J. Dinnerstein, Far Rockaway, both of N.Y.; Avihu Kagan, Union,NJ.

[73] Assignee: Metaframe Corporation, Maywood,

Filed: Sept. 20, 1971 Appl. No.: 182,050

11.8. CI 210/169, 210/238 Int. Cl E04h 3/20 Field of Search 210/169, 238

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,643,801 2/1972 Zelenko 210/1691451 June 12, 1973 3,540,591 l/l970 Yamazaki ..2lO/l69 3,540,593 11/1970Stewart 3,525,435 8/1970 Conner, Jr. ..2l0/169 Primary Examiner-Samih N.Zaharna Assistant ExaminerT. A. Granger AttorneyFriedman & Goodman [57]ABSTRACT A disposable filtration cartridge comprising a casing, andfiltration materials confined in the casing for cleansing debris-ladenfluid. The casing includes a lid integral therewith and displaceablegenerally pivotally relative to the casing for exposing the filtrationmaterials to debris-laden fluid. The casing, furthermore, includes anapertured bottom portion through which cleansed fluid may egress into acleansed fluid chamber provided in an aquarium filtration housing.

7 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures mmcnmlz 3.738.494

SHEET 2 [If 4 l 20 l4 l6 lBA 42 FIG.6.

ALLAN H. W EQ'NGER ALBERT J. DINNERSTEIN AVIHU KAGAN INVENTORS BY WNWATTORNEYb SREEISBF I HALL AN H'MILLIN GER ALBERT J. DINNERSTEIN AVIHUKAGAN INVENTORS BY M/GAIWM' ATTORNEYS PATENTEU JUN I 3 I973 SHEEI Q 0F 4ALLAN H. WILLINGER ALBERT J. DINNERSTEIN AVIHU KAGAN INVENTORS BY WWATTORNEYD DISPOSABLE FILTRATION CARTRIDGE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention relates generally to accessories for a fish tankaquarium, and more particularly to a disposable filtration cartridgewhich may be inserted into a filtration housing for cleansingdebris-laden fluid.

Generally speaking, filtration housings usually incorporate an aperturedpartition for dividing the housing into a first chamber for receivingdebris-laden fluid and a second chamber communicating with the firstcham ber into which cleansed fluid may pass from filtering materialsextending along the partition in the first chamber. In this respect, thefiltering materials may be generally constituted of a dissolved materialadsorbing means such as charcoal and a particle trapping means such asplastic wool or the like, and the conventional manner of arranging thefiltering materials is simply to deposit the charcoal and plastic woolrandomly along the partition in the first chamber to be constrainedsolely by the walls of the filtration housing.

Clearly, as those skilled in the art readily understand, filteringmaterials, after a period of time, must be replaced with substitutefiltering materials since, in fact, after a particular period, thefiltering materials which entrap debris become clogged, thereby,delimiting the capacity thereof to cleanse debris-laden fluid.Obviously, since the filtering materials, such as the charcoal andplastic wool, extend freely along the partition in the first chamber, itis often an extremely difficult and dirty process to remove thedebris-laden and clogged filtering materials from the filtrationhousing.

Furthermore, as those skilled in the art readily understand, the plasticwool generally blackens and accumulates an odor due to the debris itentraps, and there is little means for the hobbyist to recognize thatthe filtering materials require replacement other than by the eventuallysustained black color of the plastic wool and the odor emitted thereby.Thus, the conventional type of filtration housing is not provided withadequate means for indicating that the filtration materials requirereplacement.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, it is an object of the presentinvention to provide a disposable filtration cartridge in which isprovided filtration means for cleansing debris-laden water, the entirecartridge being adapted for placement and substitution in a filtrationhousing for cleansing debris-laden water syphoned thereinto.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a disposablefiltration cartridge having means for permitting simple removal thereoffrom a filtration housing without the necessity for overturning theentire housing for spilling-out the filtration materials.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide adisposable filtration cartridge which incorporates means for indicatingthat the materials and the entire package, therefor, require replacementafter becoming extensively debris-laden.

To this end, the present invention relates generally to the combinationofa filtration housing and a disposable filtration cartridge, thefiltration housing being divided into a debris-laden fluid chamber and acleansed fluid chamber communicating with one another through theintermediary of an apertured partition upon which rests the disposablefiltration cartridge, the latter which comprises a casing, and afiltration means confined in said casing for cleansing debris-ladenfluid, said casing including means for exposing said filtration means todebris-laden fluid, and an apertured portion through which cleansedfluid egresses.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS With the above and additional objectsand advantages in view as will hereinafter appear, this inventioncomprises the devices, combinations and arrangements of partshereinafter described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings of apreferred embodiment in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a front elevational view of the disposable filtrationcartridge pursuant to the present invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of the disposable filtrationcartridge, wherein the lid thereof is opened for exposing the filtrationmaterials to the environment;

FIG. 3 illustrates an underside plan view of the filtration cartridge;

FIG. 4 illustrates a top side plan view of the filtration cartridge;

FIG. 5 illustrates a cross-sectional view taken along the line 5-5 inFIG. 4;

FIG. 6 illustrates a cross-sectional view taken along the line 66 inFIG. 4;

FIG. 7 illustrates an exploded perspective view of the filtrationcartridge and contents therein; and

FIG. 8 illustrates a front elevational view of the association of thefiltration cartridge with that of a filtration housing.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring now to the drawings andmore particularly to FIGS. 1-7 thereof, the present invention relatesgen erally to a disposable filtration cartridge denoted generally by thereference character 10. The filtration cartridge 10 includes a casing 12which is constituted generally of a flexible thin-gauge transparentplastic which may be preferably vacuum-formed or the like. The casing 12is provided internally thereof with filtration materials defined bymeans for adsorbing dissolved materials such as a layer of charcoalparticles 14, a lower filtration layer of porous or fibrous material 16,such as plastic wool or foam plastic, and an upper filtration layer 18such as plastic wool or the like.

The casing 12, moreover, includes an apertured bottom portion 20 whichis provided with openings or perforations 22 or the like, upon whichbottom portion 20 rests the lower filtration layer of plastic wool 16. Alid 24 is generally pivotally displaceable along a pivotal axis 26 whichis intermediate the lid 24 and a right side wall 28 of the casing 12.The pivotal displacement of the lid 24 is permitted primarily because ofthe flexible nature of the plastic casing 12. At the opposite side ofthe casing 12 is a closure flap 30 which is pivotally displaceable alonga pivotal axis 32 which is intermediate the closure flap 30 and a leftside wall 33 of the casing 12. The closure flap 30 terminates in a freeend tab 34 which is insertable into a slot 36 provided in the lid 24such that the closure flap 30 overlies the lid 24 and detachablymaintains the latter in a closed position overlying the upper filtrationlayer 18 of plastic wool. Clearly, the lower layer of plastic wool 16prevents the charcoal particles 14 from spilling out of the casing 12 Ithrough the perforations 22 in the bottom portion thereof.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the thickness of the upper filtrationlayer of plastic wool 18 is such so as to cause the interlocked lid 24and closure flap 30 to buldge upwardly since, in fact, the upperfiltration layer of plastic wool 18 is constituted of generally twoportions 18A and 188 respectively which may be folded into overlyingrelation with one another and have a combined longitudinal extent whichis substantially greater than the distance between side walls 28 and 33.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, the lid 24 terminates in a free end portion 38which is generally U-shaped and provided with a free lip which overliesand secures, as by conventional means, one end of the portion 183 of theupper filtration layer of plastic wool 18. Moreover, because of thethickness of the upper filtration layer of plastic wool 18 and themanner by which the portion 188 thereof is secured to the lid 24, thereis a tendency for the upper filtration layer of plastic wool 18 to causethe lid 24 to raise relative to the portion 18A of the upper filtrationlayer of plastic wool 18 when the tab 34 is removed from the slot 36provided in the lid 24. The tendency is for the lid 24 to be moved intoan open position as illustrated in FIG. 2, and the significance of samewill be further clarified below.

As illustrated in FIG. 6, the casing 12 includes an intermediaryexternal side wall 42 which extends generally vertically and a ledge 44which is horizontal in nature and raised relative to the perforatedbottom portion 20 of the casing 12. The intermediary external side wall42 and the ledge 44 have a common lateral extent with that of theperforated bottom portion 20, and extend between a front wall 46 andrear wall 48 in a manner as illustrated generally in FIG. 7. Thesignificance of the lateral extent between the front wall 46 and rearwall 48 will be further clarified below.

As illustrated in FIG. 8, the present invention or disposable filtrationcartridge 10 is to be operatively inserted into an aquarium filtrationdevice. As those skilled in the art readily understand, an aquarium tankor the like is generally provided with an upper ledge 50, along the sidewalls thereof, upon which a filtration housing 52 may be detachablyrestrained such as by means of a down-turned retaining lip 53 (onlypartially shown) which is adapted to overlie the ledge 50 of theaquarium. The filtration housing 52 is generally provided with a motordrive 54 or the like which is operatively associated with a pump 56 forpumping cleansed water from the filtration housing 52 into the aquariumupon which the filtration housing 52 rests.

In this respect, a perforated partition 58, having vertically extendinglugs 60 acts to divide the filtration housing 52 into a first chamber 62and a second chamber 64, the latter chamber extending below thepartition 58. As is usually understood, a syphon tube having a lower end66 submerged in the aquarium and an upper end 68 which is U-shaped andcommunicates with the first chamber 62 is utilized for syphoningdebris-laden fluid or water 70 into the first chamber 62. The disposablefiltration cartridge 10 is to be positioned upon the partition 58 in thefirst chamber 62 so as to cleanse debris-laden water as the latter waterpasses vertically from the first chamber 62 therethrough and into thesecond chamber 64 to then be emitted and returned to the aquariumthrough the intcrmediary of the pump 56 which communicates with a returntube 72, the latter which communicates with the aquarium.

Pursuant to the principals of the present invention, the disposablefiltration cartridge 10 is to be inserted into the first chamber 62 ofthe filtration housing 52 so as to rest upon the upper surface of thepartition 58 with the perforated bottom portion 20 of the casing 12 incommunication with the second chamber 64 through the intermediary of theperforated partition 58. The cartridge 10 should be opened such that thetab 34 is removed from the lid 24 prior to insertion of the cartridge 10into the first chamber 62 and, thus, in a manner as indicated above, theportions 18A and 18B of the upper filtration layer of plastic wool 18tend to push the lid 24 into contact with the return tube 72 extendingvertically in the first chamber 62 and remain in an open condition.

Moreover, when the plastic wool 18 is subjected to water in the firstchamber 62, the plastic wool 18 tends to expand into a greater lateraldimension than that distance between the front and rear walls 46 and 48respectively and contact the inner surfaces of the front and rear wallsof the filtration housing 52 both along the generally vertical extent ofportion 188 of the plastic wool 18 and horizontally along the portion18A of the plastic wool 18. This lateral expansion is aided by thenatural resiliency of the plastic wool.

As those skilled in the art understand, because of the additional extentof portion 188 of the plastic wool 18, the overall capacity of theplastic wool to cleanse or filter debris-laden fluid is significantlyincreased. Furthermore, because of the lateral expansion of the plasticwool 18 into contact with the opposite inner faces of the side walls ofthe filtration housing 52, again there is an additional increase in thecapacity for the plastic wool 18 to cleanse or filter debris-ladenfluid. Water passing through the portion 18B follows a path horizontallyaround the lid 24 and through the expanded extent of the portion 188.

The provision of the portion 188 of the plastic wool 18 as it extends inthe first chamber 62 of the filtration housing 52 is thereforesignificant in that, because of the lateral expansion thereof, intocontact with the opposite inner faces of the front and rear walls of thefiltration housing 52, the first chamber 62 is generally subdivided intoa portion 62A and a portion 62B separated from one another through theintermediary of the portion 18B of the plastic wool 18. In this respect,as the portion 183 of the plastic wool 18 becomes clogged with debris,the horizontal water flow from the portion 62A to the portion 628 of thefirst chamber 62 is inhibited and, therefore, the upper surface of thewater level in the portion 62B gradually begins to drop relative to thesurface level in the portion 62A. The drop of the surface level of waterin the portion 628 indicates to an observer that the plastic wool 18 hasbecome excessively entrapped with particles and clogged thereby, andthis drop in the water level in the portion 62B, when substantial,indicates that the plastic wool 18 requires replacement.

Accordingly, upon an indication that the plastic wool 18 and, moreover,the charcoal particles 14 and lower filtration layer 16, have becomeclogged and require replacement, the hobbyist simply grasps the lid 24and closure flaps 30 and lifts the entire disposable filtrationcartridge 10 upwardly and out of the first chamber 62 and, thereafter,reinserts a substitute disposable filtration cartridge in a manner aswas done with the original disposable filtration cartridge 10.

Clearly, the ability to remove all of the filtration elementssimultaneously in one simple step from the filtration housing 52,without any requirement for tipping the filtration housing 52 so as tospill the filtration elements therefrom, is a significant advantage forthe hobbyist who is often confronted with the problem of replacingdebris-laden dirty and odorous filtering materials.

Moreover, the additional capacity for the filtration elements such asthat of the upper filtration layer of plastic wool 18 as it laterallyexpands into flush contact with the opposite inner faces of the frontand rear wall of the filtration housing 52, and the additional extentsof the portion 188 of the plastic wool 18 are features which enhance theoverall efficiency of the filtration device to cleanse debris-ladenfluid.

Still a further advantage, as those skilled in the art readilyunderstand, is associated with the portion 18B of the plastic wool 18 inthat it subdivides the first chamber 62 into two chambers one of whichhas a water level which gradually recedes relative to the water level inthe adjacent chamber for generally indicating the extent of cloggingassociated with the filtration elements and the time when the filtrationelements must be replaced.

Numerous alterations of the structure herein disclosed will suggestthemselves to those skilled in the art. However, it is to be understoodthat the present disclosure relates to a preferred embodiment of theinvention which is for purposes of illustration only and is not to beconstrued as a limitation of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. An aquarium filtration assembly including a receptacle in combinationwith an aquarium, said filtration assembly comprising a horizontallyarranged perforated partition member spaced above bottom of saidreceptacle to define a fluid chamber between said receptacle bottom andsaid partition member, pumping means disposed in said receptacle influid communication with said fluid chamber for removing water therefromand returning water to said aquarium, disposable filter cartridge meanshorizontally arranged within said receptacle above said partitionmember, said filter cartridge means comprising a casing provided withsidewalls extending upwardly from a bottom of said casing, a top portionof said casing pivotably connected to one of said casing sidewalls, saidtop portion being vertically arranged above said one casing sidewall,apertures provided in said casing bottom for passage of fluidtherethrough, first filter media disposed within said casing above saidapertured casing bottom and between said casing sidewalls, second filtermedia vertically supported against a surface of said vertically arrangedcasing top portion, said second filter media being disposed above andfacing toward said first filter media disposed within said casing, saidcasing with said first filter media therein being supported by saidhorizontally arranged perforated partition member above said receptaclebottom with said second filter media being vertically supported by saidcasing top portion above said partition member, whereby fluid filteredby said first filter media and second filter media flows into said fluidchamber above said receptacle bottom and is removed from said fluidchamber by said pumping means and is returned by said pumping means tosaid aquarium.

2. A combination as claimed in claim 1, wherein said casing top portionterminates in a free U-shaped end portion, a portion of said secondfilter media being secured in said U-shaped end portion.

3. A combination as claimed in claim 1, wherein another of said casingsidewalls is provided with a pivotally displaceable flap extendingoutwardly from a top portion of said another casing sidewall.

4. A combination as claimed in claim 3, wherein said flap is providedwith a free end tab adapted to be inserted into an aperture in saidcasing top portion when said casing top portion is pivotably displacedto a horizontally arranged position for maintaining said casing topportion in said horizontally arranged position.

5. A combination as claimed in claim 1, wherein said casing top portionis pivotably displaceable between said vertically arranged position anda horizontally arranged position overlying said first filter media toenclose said first filter media and second filter media within saidcasing.

6. A combination as claimed in claim 5, wherein said casing includesmeans for locking said casing top portion in said horizontally arrangedposition.

7. A combination as claimed in claim 1, wherein vertical edge portionsof said second filter media disposed in water are in generally flushcontact with a pair of opposite sidewalls of said receptacle.

1. An aquarium filtration assembly including a receptacle in combinationwith an aquarium, said filtration assembly comprising a horizontallyarranged perforated partition member spaced above bottom of saidreceptacle to define a fluid chamber between said receptacle bottom andsaid partition member, pumping means disposed in said receptacle influid communication with said fluid chamber for removing water therefromand returning water to said aquarium, disposable filter cartridge meanshorizontally arranged within said receptacle above said partitionmember, said filter cartridge means comprising a casing provided withsidewalls extending upwardly from a bottom of said casing, a top portionof said casing pivotably connected to one of said casing sidewalls, saidtop portion being vertically arranged above said one casing sidewall,apertures provided in said casing bottom for passage of fluidtherethrough, first filter media disposed within said casing above saidapertured casing bottom and between said casing sidewalls, second filtermedia vertically supported against a surface of said vertically arrangedcasing top portion, said second filter media being disposed above andfacing toward said first filter media disposed within said casing, saidcasing with said first filter media therein being supported by saidhorizontally arranged perforated partition member above said receptaclebottom with said second filter media being vertically supported by saidcasing top portion above said partition member, whereby fluid filteredby said first filter media and second filter media flows into said fluidchamber above said receptacle bottom and is removed from said fluidchamber by said pumping means and is returned by said pumping means tosaid aquarium.
 2. A combination as claimed in claim 1, wherein saidcasing top portion terminates in a free U-shaped end portion, a portionof said second filter media being secured in said U-shaped end portion.3. A combination as claimed in claim 1, wherein another of said casingsidewalls is provided with a pivotally displaceable flap extendingoutwardly from a top portion of said another casing sidewall.
 4. Acombination as claimed in claim 3, wherein said flap is provided with afree end tab adapted to be inserted into an aperture in said casing topportion when said casing top portion is pivotably displaced to ahorizontally arranged position for maintaining said casing top portionin said horizontally arranged position.
 5. A combination as claimed inclaim 1, wherein said casing top portion is pivotably displaceablebetween said vertically arranged position and a horizontally arrangedposition overlying said first filter media to enclose said first filtermedia and second filter media within said casing.
 6. A combination asclaimed in claim 5, wherein said casing includes means for locking saidcasing top portion in said horizontally arranged position.
 7. Acombination as claimed in claim 1, wherein vertical edge portions ofsaid second filter media disposed in water are in generally flushcontact with a pair of opposite sidewalls of said receptacle.